//------------------------------// // 4. Monster Chef // Story: Grace before Mealtime // by helmet of salvation //------------------------------// The rich, warm aroma emanated from the bubbling pot and mingled with the other scents hanging in the air inside the cottage. Fluttershy inhaled deeply, humming with approval and anticipation. Carefully, she clasped her teeth around the handle of the pot and carried it over to a thick board resting on the last remaining space on her dining table. She doused the flames on her stove, then turned back to the spread on her table. Every fruit, vegetable, grain and pulse Ponyville had to offer this season was represented. Some were raw and whole, some mixed as salads, some cooked into soups, casseroles or pasta dishes. Also available were offerings from Fluttershy's loyal laying hens, hard-boiled, scrambled, poached, devilled or made into fluffy, herb-rich omelettes. Fluttershy cast her eyes over the wide repast and heaved a sigh of relief and fatigue. The process of planning, purchasing, preparing and presenting had pushed the poor pegasus pony to her limits. To make matters worse, despite the rapid response of the firefighting crew, the manticore's blaze had left several woodland creatures injured, distressed or homeless: as the destined steward of Ponyville's fauna, Fluttershy had had to tend to their needs before she could even begin. Taking on more responsibility than she could handle was a harder habit to break than she had imagined. She caught sight of herself in a mirror and almost jumped. Her face was drawn and haggard; her pale pink mane and tail, normally sleek and flowing, were tangled and unkempt; and her wings were overdue for a professional preening. Still, that would all have to wait. For now, she had to attend to more important matters, such as keeping a cottage full of critters a safe distance from the banquet table. "Uh-uh-uh," she lilted in gentle admonition to a flock of birds circling eagerly over a bowl of mixed berries. "We must wait for our guest to arrive." She turned around just in time to see a small, beady-eyed white rabbit reaching greedily for a tureen of vegetable soup. "Angel, no." Angel Bunny folded his forelegs and pouted but Fluttershy was unmoved. "Now now, what do you suppose would happen if I brought a hungry manticore here for lunch and there was no food for him to eat?" Every single animal that had been hovering around the table backed instantly and fearfully away. "Exactly. Momma would be most embarrassed." * * * "Now, don't feel you need to stand on ceremony. There's plenty for everyone so just help yourself." The manticore cast an uncertain eye over the dining table while the other animals, watching with palpable anxiety, kept as far away as the cottage walls would allow. Slowly the great beast walked around the table, scanning for something that seemed both substantial and appetising, until finally stopping at a steaming bowl of viscous orange broth. "Ooh, my pumpkin and sweet potato soup, with silky tofu for that all-important protein. Go ahead, try some." The manticore sniffed the aroma of the soup with his protruding, triangular nose and took a cautious lap. Immediately, his nightmarish face screwed up in a snarl of distaste. He hurriedly wiped his tongue on the back of his forepaw. The few other dishes he tried resulted in similar reactions. Eventually he returned to face Fluttershy with a low, apologetic rumble. "Not even the mushroom and spinach risotto?" The creature shook his head. "Well, I'm afraid that's all I have to offer. Although, I didn't have time to go fishing so maybe ..." The creature snarled with distaste again and shook his head unequivocally. "No, huh?" Fluttershy bowed with disappointment, then turned around when she felt a rapid thumping at her rear fetlock. Angel Bunny, smiling hopefully, was pointing towards the table. The pegasus nodded in resignation, and Angel and the rest of the cottage's resident critters swarmed upon the banquet. "Where do we go from here?" Fluttershy wondered aloud. She toyed briefly with the idea of consulting Zecora, the zebra mare who made the Everfree Forest her home, but the prospect of leading a forest apex predator to the front door of a prey animal's hut did not bear contemplation. A scratching sound at the cottage's front door and a string of excited canine barks interrupted Fluttershy's thoughts. She trotted to the door and opened it to reveal Winona, the Apple family's boisterous, brown-and-white farm dog, leaping in place and wildly wagging her tail. Winona launched her forepaws at Fluttershy's front shoulders and licked the pony's muzzle. Fluttershy shrieked and giggled like a pre-school filly. "Stop it! Down, Winona," she squealed. The dog kicked herself off from the pony and rolled onto her back. Fluttershy affectionately stroked Winona's chest with her forehoof. "There, that's my good girl. Yes, you're a good girl, aren't you? Now what brings you all the way here, huh?" Winona leapt to her paws and barked at length. "Sweet Apple Acres? Why?"